If this article is correct, then I would have some concerns about Tanaka's arm. 160 pitches in a complete game loss and then 15 more the next day? That raises some red flags about how he has been used.

The Sox have done very well retooling this year for the future. I think its time now to roll the dice and go after Tanaka. In the past 30 years the Sox have had one elite starting pitcher, BlackJack and Sale is right there knocking on the door. Thats 30 years of draft picks. The way baseball is these days, the Sox only way of getting a young elite pitcher is through the draft and as you can see that doesnt happen often. Money shouldnt be a problem going after Tanaka, it shouldnt hamstring the organization at all. Having two elite starters would put the Sox on the map and would lure FA's in the future. I am really tired of the Sox thinking small when they have the resources now to think and act big. I hope they are flying a slealth mission and are prepared to snag him to everyone's surprise.

Well at least I can still dream.

imho pitching is not the problem...they need hitting.....when i see this lineup it depresses me BUT love the kids we have picked up were headed in the right direction....

I totally agree that the Sox should get involved in the bidding. Sure it's a long shot but so was Abreau. He's a 25 year old top of the rotation starter with no draft pick compensation attached. Those just don't come around every year. With the new national tv money plus all the money they shed last year and will be shedding once Dunn is off the books, they can afford it. Get in the game and go for it. At the very least they would be driving the price up for the competition.

I'm fine with the Sox getting involved with the bidding, but I also believe that with the hype, no draft pick, and the Yankees needing the pitching, the price will be well above what any reasonable team will pay.
Otherwise, we don't have the foundation yet to seriously contend. Need double the number of real prospects we have, so that we can legitimately plug holes in July, and not harm our farm system. And we need basic competence at catcher and in the dugout.
I would be okay with signing Garza, but his price is going to be nowhere near what a 3 should be either. IF Danks pitches well, we will have at least 3 #3s anyway.

I like the direction Rick has been taking this rebuild, so I don't see the need to rush things. Tanaka and Sale would form a solid duo, but I'm not sure the price is worth it. I would like to see what they can do with a bigger scouting budget.

If this article is correct, then I would have some concerns about Tanaka's arm. 160 pitches in a complete game loss and then 15 more the next day? That raises some red flags about how he has been used.

"According to a scout who watched Tanaka pitch in the Japan Series but who asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to speak publicly about him, the volume of pitches is of some concern. “I am worried about his arm,” the scout said."